“American Idol” had ruined just about everything this year, with its judges who love everybody – except the very best contestants -- bizarre sense of what’s good and what isn’t, and its flat-out bad bunch of contestants.

So why not ruin the Top 10 as well?

It did that last week when the judges used their one save of the season to keep screamer Casey Abrams after viewers bounced him off the show, then promptly announced – perhaps before viewers again vote him off this week -- that they’re changing the rules mid-stream, and the Top 11, not the Top 10, will go on tour.

James Durbin, your next American Idol?

So that makes it harder for us who predict how the Top 10 will finish, because two will be voted off the show Thursday. Who knows which would have finished 10th and which 11th ?

I’m going to predict the finishing places of the remaining contestants anyway.

Please note this is the order in which I think they remaining contestants will be voted off, not my personal preferences. I think, for example, that Paul McDonald is just horrible. But the judges give him high praise (and by that I mean they must be high when they say it) that viewers may be reluctant to vote him off right away.

My predictions:

11/10. Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone– She should have been voted off last week after her second or third really horrible week in a row. Now only a weak singer, but truly bad. It’s an embarrassment she’s still around. And he’s only still around because he was a judges’ wildcard pick. The bad thing is that Stefano actually has a decent voice, but it’s not that of a star. He would have worked in the days of boy bands, when his voice could have shared the stage with three or four other singers.

9. Naima Adedapo – After several weeks in which it would have seemed right to vote her off, Adedapo had a lightning-strike week last week with Martha and the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street.” She nailed the notes. But I think it was like a stopped clock being right twice a day. She’s still broken, and will be quickly voted off.

8. Casey Abrams– I’m guessing the judges saved him because they think he has a strong blues voice. But screaming blues is the only thing Casey can do, and even that not so well. If he remotely tries anything else, he’s horrible. Judges, you wasted your save.

7. Thia Megia– This will be one of the judges’ bad effects. Megia has a very nice voice and a very commercial voice, but the judges don’t like that. They want people who scream and people who are off-key. They beat up Megia relentlessly like a group of mean kids on a school yard, and eventually will persuade America to vote her off.

6. Paul McDonald– The judges may be all gaga for him, but I think America knows better and eventually will wonder what the heck his weird, squeaky voice and truly skin-crawling personality is still doing in the competition.

5. Lauren Alaina– The one that judge Steven Tyler declared “the one” based on her audition alone – isn’t. Like Abrams, once she gets outside her genre (in this case country), she’s frightfully weak.

4. Jacob Lusk– As I’ve said all along, probably the best pure voice in the competition. But he hasn’t learned to control it – screaming, going off key and doing weird vocal calisthenics. When it gets down to a few contestants, his weaknesses are going to be glaring.

3. Pia Tuscano– Not nearly the best in the competition, but not bad either, and apart from Megia the best female in the competition. So she’ll hang on until it again, for the umpteenth year in a row, comes down to the two final males.

2. Scotty McCreery– A likable kid whose deep voice would make him a viable country artist, even if his range is pretty short.

And that means I think the Season 10 winner will be:

James Durbin– Durbin has been the designated winner since a couple of weeks into the competition. All the judges already are acting as if he’s the winner. That may not be a bad thing: He’s got an OK voice and can rock a bit. And he has a very nice personality and an underdog story of having Asperberg’s Syndrome. He sings an awful lot like Adam Lambert, and this finally will, in a lot of peoples’ minds, let Lambert finally win after he lost to Kris Allen two years ago.

I agree with your ranking. When did Idol start allowing freestyle dancing in the middle of a song? Naima really gets on my last nerve each week.

Posted By: Susan | Mar 30, 2011 8:30:44 AM

I totally agree with your predictions, HOWEVER I DON'T agree that this years picks are all bad. I like the variety of talent. I agree that the new judges are too soft but I like them and really don't miss Simon (or Paula) at all.

Posted By: Elaine | Mar 30, 2011 9:36:34 AM

I agree with your predictions, as well. Frankly, I don't care who gets voted off when. I just think that Durbin should be the last one standing.

Posted By: Karen | Mar 30, 2011 9:39:42 AM

Ha! James has a decent voice but is NO Adam. His uncontrolled, Gokey-esque screeching, and over the top self-congratulatory demeanor will not have him headlining his own worldwide tour right out of the gate. He'll make a decent front man for an up and coming rock band, but from everything I've seen Pia has a far better chance of becoming successful solo recording artist.

Posted By: Nina | Mar 30, 2011 11:09:56 AM

I would put Thia ahead of Paul and I would put Paul and Thia ahead of Jacob.

Posted By: Charidan | Mar 30, 2011 11:36:56 AM

Eh, I fully expect another white guy with guitar to win. That's who the Idol audience votes for: male, white, heterosexual, guitar-player, preferably southern, with a soft or "grittier" voice.

Frankly, I have no interest in seeing Durbin win as some sort of bizarro world concession prize for Adam Lambert not winning. Lambert's concession prize, as it were, is his success post-Idol.

Posted By: Marly | Mar 30, 2011 12:59:56 PM

anyone notice that thia's voice sounds weaker in her last 3 songs compared to her top 24 performance?!? she really was one of the top girls in 'out here on my own'. is it possible that someone is messing around with her mic or something to make her sound weak?! hmmmmm

Posted By: John | Mar 30, 2011 2:18:17 PM

I disagree with you as you were wrong on the bottom three last week. I thinh Pia will be the next American Idol and James will finish 3rd behind Scott

Truthfully, I am surprised you put anyone who remotely reminds you of Adam anywhere near the top since you have such disdain for him. However, I agree with all your rankings and am glad to see you don't have Pia as winning. She is pretty and has a good voice but zero stage presence! She is the most boring contestant (even more so than Thia) but the judges love her. I guess after being an Adam fan, it's difficult to watch someone who just stands there. James is really good at heavy metal if he can reign in his screams - he doesn't have the control Adam has. He is likeable though, as is Scotty. Either would be good.

Posted By: Adamfan | Mar 30, 2011 3:38:06 PM

Hmmm... OBVIOUSLY you were WRONG in your feelings about the writer. If that was an apology, it was a lame one! @ Adamfan.
Adam screams. That isn't singing. Sorry, agree with the writer on this. Screaming isn't singing. It can be an added effect but nothing more. He doesn't know how to use it. Steven Tyler DOES!

Posted By: Cynical Girl | Mar 30, 2011 5:42:26 PM

James and Adam are similar, but not identical. James has a better lower register, and a more pleasant vocal tone than Adam Lambert, and he doesn't rely as much on falsetto. emotion in his songs is more believable, and less 'theater'.

I really like James Durbin, and I hope he wins this season. Kris Allen is still my favorite Idol of all time, and I am very glad that he won season 8.

Posted By: Valerie | Mar 30, 2011 6:08:04 PM

John, I also completely agree with your assessments of Paul and Casey. I do not get their appeal at all.

I love rockers, but I also love the so called 'white guy with guitar' (or black, hispanic, etc.), so I should be the target fan for these two, but can't stand them.

Posted By: Valerie | Mar 30, 2011 6:13:11 PM

Haven't cared about who wins since season 8! The people who say Adam screams & can't sing are delusional!! Sorry folks!! Music experts say differently! I think your homophobia (or maybe stupidity) is showing if you have the adacity to say this man, that all the experts call a once in a life time voice, can't sing! P L E A S E! Go hate someplace else, we all know who really won & has broken IDOL forever!!

Posted By: Beverly | Mar 30, 2011 6:45:13 PM

Only the bitter and hurt Kris Allen fans would pretend that James is a better singer than Adam Lambert. While I like James and hope he wins, he is no Adam. Just as Kris won and he is no Adam. But at least James is not boring as heck. I'm sure James will have a much better career than Kris but no chance he will have the post Idol success that Adam has had. Won't happen. Adam is considered one of the best vocalist by the industry and people that are not fans of other envious Idols. And as for showmanship and pure sex appeal neither of these dudes could ever match up to Adam. But I wish James well and maybe he can pull off a win. If he does, it will not be because anyone is trying to make up for Adam. They are not interchangeble and that is just a stupid mindless made up reason. If he wins it will be because he got the most votes. Moser where do you come up with this stuff?

Posted By: Bretta | Mar 30, 2011 10:21:49 PM

If James Durbin is SO much like Adam Lambert and he wins AI this year, it will not "let Lambert finally win after he lost to Kris Allen two years ago" .... it will only prove that there is no homophobia concerning the winner this year. James is shacking up with the baby's Mama, so those who voted against Adam in 2009 will feel better about voting for a straight guy. Durbin is very HARD on the eyes whereas Adam Lambert had the entire package. And there is NO comparison between Adam and JD, I'm kinda sick of hearing that!!

Posted By: Rita | Mar 30, 2011 11:47:07 PM

I have to agree with Bretta and Rita. No comparison bewtween Adam and JD, Not even close. Adam is several steps ahead of JD. JD sounded to karaoke tonight for me.

Posted By: Kansas | Mar 31, 2011 12:22:28 AM

James Durbin is an improved version of Adam Lambert.

Posted By: blueberry | Mar 31, 2011 3:20:38 AM

No blueberry, James Durbin is not an improved version of Adam Lambert. Because he is not Adam Lambert. The fact that you even try to play that card says that Adam is someone that others would like to be. That speaks volumes. The best that James can do is to try to be himself. There is only one Lambert and that man can sang. Adam's performance style is smooth and sexy. Not manic. He is an international star. James does not have the buzz that Adam had. In fact they mostly talk about James in relation to Adam. Otherwise not much talke about him. What does that tell you? If James was the improved version there would be a lot of excitement about him on his own merit but sadly there is not. So for those hoping that James will outshine Adam in his post Idol career, well good luck.

Posted By: Jet | Mar 31, 2011 3:54:42 AM

ROFLMAO @ Durbin being like Adam in any way shape or form. Durbin has no vocal control or technique, if you're looking for a screecher/screamer James is your man. If you're looking for someone with a 5 octave range, excellent breathing and musculature control in his vocals and the ability to sing anything from Opera to Led Zep with ease - then you're looking at Adam. James has little to no stage presence and very little appeal as a performer. He needs to stop pretending he's already brilliant and go and get some decent vocal coaching - for a start. Even if he did all that and learnt about performance, he still wouldn't be an improved Adam Lambert, even tho he's clearly studied every move Adam has made and every word he's spoken (sweet). He will just be James and if he wins it will be simply James winning, not some lame notion that Adam finally won. I think he's closer in ability and style to Cook than Lambert in any case, even tho he wants to be like Lambert.

Posted By: Teresa | Mar 31, 2011 7:46:51 AM

Durbins greatest talent is his ability to spin a good sob story or six. His singing is just okay - one performance I really liked (cant remember what the song was but it was a ballad style number) but the rest have been so-so. He shouldn't really try to "scream" like a rocker I think he's more of a soft-rock/ballady singer. But you are correct. He may just win on the sob-story count alone. Dont see what any of it has to do with Adam tho. If the show has a winner based on talent I would go with Jacob or Pia.

Posted By: Jacki | Mar 31, 2011 7:52:10 AM

Wanna bet James won't win? I like him but I doubt he'll win. And whether he does or not has nothing whatsoever to do with Adam Lambert. Adam has already won with his post-Idol success. Winning the title of American Idol is just the first step. A platform. The rest is up to you. Some winners/finalists have achieved success. Some haven't.

Thia Mehia? Sings well but do we need another Disney princess?

Posted By: Barb | Mar 31, 2011 9:01:44 AM

I totally agree with Jacki here! IF it is about "TALENT" then the last 2 standing will be Jacob and Pia.Scotty and Lauren are country givens.Paul is a poor man's Rod Stewart and James is a deaf man's Lambert.(Blind also....not his fault but those ears, those grimaces, gawd awful!And arrogant/self-congratulatory)
I predict Jacob won't win because he is too "fem" (a gay, black Idol? America and Rupert Murdoch would NEVER allow it!) and Pia...she's a girl and in the last several years, the girls have pretty much been ignored.
If Durbin wins, it will be a HUGE mistake...as he has nowhere near the talent, savvy, charm, looks, charisma, politeness and humbleness of Adam Lambert.Either way, I'm half-heartedly watching but not invested enough to vote. No one before or since Lambert grabs me enough to make that move.

Well, they used the save, so it's up to the callers. Talent has little or nothing to do with it at this point, sadly.
Ladies--I think it's humorous that you think he's so easy on the eyes & all the support for someone who has absolutely no interest in a woman at all! ROTFL! It's embarassing to read your remarks in light of it.

Posted By: Cynical Girl | Mar 31, 2011 2:52:48 PM

the judges are bobbleheads their heads bob up and down and smiling they tell everyone .."that was so wonderful...u are so wonderful"

BRING BACK PIA...SHE DESERVED TO STAY UNTIL THE END

Posted By: Barbara | Apr 10, 2011 9:55:05 AM

Dear Lord, Poor James, Leave the damn guy alone. Adam has like 10 yrs more experience than James. James is 21 and ADAM IS NOW IN HIS early 30'S.I hope this awesome and talented guy wins this show. Him and Adam are different has night and day. I'm sick of all the bashing ! James Durbin for the WIN ! and I voted for Adam 1,000's and 1,000's of times . It's ashame people can't love them both, I do !

Posted By: Bev | Apr 26, 2011 5:32:06 PM

Dude you think james has an OK voice , he's got the best voice in Idol and he is out of the league. I don't think you have any knowledge on music. If you don't then best thing is to shut up you mouth.

Posted By: Guest | May 6, 2011 7:22:47 AM

You dont know what your talking about Haley was never a wild card...WHY? bc she was never "almost voted off" in that first week on the idol stage, please get your facts straight before dragging someone throught the dirt Wild cards were Stefano,Namia and some other girl.....not Haley. Plus Haley has the best voice and should win.

Posted By: amanda | May 12, 2011 12:53:06 PM

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JOHN J. MOSER has been around long enough to have seen the original Ramones in a small club in New Jersey, U2 from the fourth row of a theater and Bob Dylan's born-again tours. But he also has the number for All-American Rejects' Nick Wheeler on his cell phone, wrote the first story ever done on Jack's Mannequin and hung out in Wiz Khalifa's hotel room.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

JODI DUCKETT: As The Morning Call's assistant features editor responsible for entertainment, she spends a lot of time surveying the music landscape and sizing up the Valley's festivals and club scene. She's no expert, but enjoys it all — especially artists who resonated in her younger years, such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Tracy Chapman, Santana and Joni Mitchell.

KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS enjoys all types of music, from roots rock and folk to classical and opera. Music has been a constant backdrop to her life since she first sat on the steps listening to her mother’s Broadway LPs when she was 2. Since becoming a mother herself, she has become well-versed on the growing genre of kindie rock and, with her son in tow, can boast she has seen a majority of the current kid’s performers from Dan Zanes to They Might Be Giants.

STEPHANIE SIGAFOOS: A Jersey native raised in Northeast PA, she was reared in a house littered with 8-tracks, 45s and cassette tapes of The Beatles, Elvis, Meatloaf and Billy Joel. She also grew up on the sounds of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw and can be found traversing the countryside in search of the sounds of a steel guitar. A fan of today's 'new country,' she digs mainstream/country-pop crossovers like Lady Antebellum and Sugarland and other artists that illustrate the genre's diversity.